Don’t Let Others Ruin God’s Plan For You – Gen. 37 “The best laid plans of mice & men sometimes go awry” (adapted from “To A Mouse”, by Robert Burns) WHEN THE MASTER ARCHITECT PUTS OUT A PLAN IT IS DEFINITELY THE BEST ONE AVAILABLE.

WHO’S THE FAVORITE?

The one that gives you flowers, or the one who takes you to dinner?

Or just the cutest one?

Joseph Had A Dream (But did he have to tell it?) – Gen. 37:7-8 7 We were all working in the field, tying stacks of wheat together. Then my stack got up. It stood there while all of your stacks of wheat made a circle around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said, “Do you think this means that you will be a king and rule over us?” His brothers hated Joseph more now because of the dreams he had about them. In effect….what did they hate? God’s plan for him? “They think it strange that you…….and malign you” (I Peter 4:4)

Don’t Let Others Ruin God’s Plans For You Don’t Let Others Ruin God’s Plans For You! (Necessary “Firsts” For Understanding) God has planned desires and knowledge of you - Psalm 139:13: knit me in my mother’s womb - Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” God is able to carry it out! (Ephesians 3:20-21)  The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard[a] for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Who Can Help Ruin God’s Plan For You? Satan (I Peter 5:8); When he gets you…he gets God’s plan, too. Other plans or goals of yours: maybe not sinful alone, but may not be best or God’s revealed desire; (Matt. 6:33) AND (Luke 10:38-42) Others goals for you Worldly people – “Friendship with the world is hostility to God” - James 4:4 Family – see Luke 14:26

Joseph Would Ultimately Choose To Keep Going Ultimately would be placed in hole, placed in foreign land, placed at mercy of new people, placed in jail….PLACED IN OPPORTUNITY “When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.” (Gen. 37:18) Maybe even without realization on either part….there are people coming or plotting to put God’s plan for you to death - non participation w/ you in things - criticism or ridicule - offering “alternative” viewpoints

What Will You Do? Like Joseph, refuse to give in to fear. Trust God’s providential care. What do you fear in going with God’s plan? “I count all things to be loss in comparison with the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish (trash) in order that I may gain Christ.” - Paul to Philippians (3:8) Hold to true long term value (“all that glitters is not gold”)

In Joseph’s life and choice, we learn….. You may find (and find) yourself in place unintended/never dreamed It doesn’t reduce God’s knowledge of situation, His concern, or his ability to work in it and through you Doesn’t change His plan (again, Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you…..”) Doesn’t mean no opportunities there; actually better? (Isaiah 55:8)

God’s Plans Have A Better Track Record LOOK AT WHAT PEOPLE….LEFT TO THEMSELVES….HAVE DONE! Movie: The Secret Life Pets (when the cat’s away…..) Jesus: Wide is road that leads to destruction, and many find it. God’s plans lead to fulfillment both here and there! “But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)